Thread: Second straight shave, first full face attempt

Overall, good results and not a nick in sight (more than I can say for my DE shaving). However, I am noticing one issue with my straight shaving: The razor is bouncing and/or snagging hair a lot as I make my passes. This happened with both shaves. Today I used a newly honed (SRD/Lynn) Bergisher Lowe.

Is this a sharpness issue or technique? My hair is quite coarse/tough, so I don't know if the blade size is an issue (5/8s can't handle the thick hair) or what?

Thanks.

I would imagine that it is a combination of skin stretching, blade angle and maybe you need a bit more prep on the coarse hair.

I wash my face vigorously then rinse and repeat. This is in the shower more often then not and with hot tap water.

Good lather made in a bowl and going back to the skin stretching ... that is very important. Blade angle is important too. The whole is the sum of it's parts as a friend of mine was always pointing out.

Great. It's not recommended, but i got carried away too!
It's so unlikely to be a sharpness issue. What's your prep routine? You really need to soften the stubble & use a good slick lather. Aside from that, stretching is vital. It'll help the razor to glide & get the stubble to stand up for a closer shave.

Edit: Bugger Jimmy, you beat me to it!

Originally Posted by TheLaw

However, I am noticing one issue with my straight shaving: The razor is bouncing and/or snagging hair a lot as I make my passes.

Thanks.

How do you make your passes?
As Ben mentioned about preparation Please make sure your face ready for shave.
Lastly it really takes time face to get used to straight shaving.
GL

One other thing to consider is going too fast. Here is a post by SRP founder Lynn Abrams on beginning straight razor shaving. As hi_bud_gl said it takes time to learn the feel of the manipulating the straight razor on your face. My first two weeks or so I did the more tough areas such as the chin and the mustache with my double edge.

Thanks for the help.

I shower before shaving, working in conditioner as I go. I used to do a hot towel in addition, but found that made no difference. Otherwise, lots of hot water on the beard.

It sounds like you do understand the importance of good prep. Try to concentrate on stretching, & also the angle of the blade. Keep it roughly two spines width from the face & you're about right.

It could well be that your beard is too tough for that razor. It's extra hollow ground, as far as i recall. Many chaps with tough stubble have reported that the thicker, more wedgey grinds work better for them.

Keep at it, but if you see no progress, maybe think about trying a wedge from the classifieds. That'd be a shame though. I love those razor's & have been on the lookout for a while.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

It sounds like you do understand the importance of good prep. Try to concentrate on stretching, & also the angle of the blade. Keep it roughly two spines width from the face & you're about right.

It could well be that your beard is too tough for that razor. It's extra hollow ground, as far as i recall. Many chaps with tough stubble have reported that the thicker, more wedgey grinds work better for them.

Keep at it, but if you see no progress, maybe think about trying a wedge from the classifieds. That'd be a shame though. I love those razor's & have been on the lookout for a while.

I was thinking that maybe I need to add a beefier blade to the stable. Thanks for the excuse!

I will focus on the stretching and angle and see how things progress.

Thanks.

It never takes much to find an excuse!

With a well prepped face, shorter strokes should yield better straight shaving results. Take your time to get it right and don't rush.

Pabster